Porto sack Del Neri - official
Saturday 7 August, 2004
Ex-Chievo Coach Gigi Del Neri’s Portuguese adventure is over before it has even begun as his club sensationally sacked him this morning.
These were strong reports spreading across all the local media, which were eventually confirmed with an official statement on the Porto website.
The Italian tactician had been drafted in to replace Jose Mourinho at the helm of European Champions Porto in June, but his stint has lasted less than two months.
According to the Portugese newspaper 'La Bola' and radio station TSF, the reason behind this astonishing decision is Del Neri’s repeated absences during training sessions.
He took two days off this week and did not turn up to Friday's get-together either as he had missed his plane back.
The club and players were also said to be unhappy with their disappointing pre-season preparations after losing several high-profile friendly games.
“This is an incredible situation and I am frankly shocked,” stated Chievo director of sport Giovanni Sartori.
“It must be a strange world we live in when this is given as a reason for firing a Coach and his entire staff with three years of their contract left to run. We would have tried out giving them a fine before doing anything so drastic.”
Porto was Del Neri's first major club after taking little Chievo to their first ever Serie A and UEFA Cup experiences.
However, it is not the first time that Del Neri has suffered such humiliation, as he was also sacked before the 1998-99 season had even begun at Empoli for refusing to adopt the President's preferred tactical system.
Saturday 7 August, 2004
Ex-Chievo Coach Gigi Del Neri’s Portuguese adventure is over before it has even begun as his club sensationally sacked him this morning.
These were strong reports spreading across all the local media, which were eventually confirmed with an official statement on the Porto website.
The Italian tactician had been drafted in to replace Jose Mourinho at the helm of European Champions Porto in June, but his stint has lasted less than two months.
According to the Portugese newspaper 'La Bola' and radio station TSF, the reason behind this astonishing decision is Del Neri’s repeated absences during training sessions.
He took two days off this week and did not turn up to Friday's get-together either as he had missed his plane back.
The club and players were also said to be unhappy with their disappointing pre-season preparations after losing several high-profile friendly games.
“This is an incredible situation and I am frankly shocked,” stated Chievo director of sport Giovanni Sartori.
“It must be a strange world we live in when this is given as a reason for firing a Coach and his entire staff with three years of their contract left to run. We would have tried out giving them a fine before doing anything so drastic.”
Porto was Del Neri's first major club after taking little Chievo to their first ever Serie A and UEFA Cup experiences.
However, it is not the first time that Del Neri has suffered such humiliation, as he was also sacked before the 1998-99 season had even begun at Empoli for refusing to adopt the President's preferred tactical system.
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